_Mrs. Toov._ (_to herself, in the hall_). Just as I expected. THEOPHILUS not home yet! I shall sit up for him in the study. (_She opens the study door, and starts_.) So _there_ you are, Pa! And pray when did _you_ come in? _Mr. Toov._ (_mildly_). Yes, my love, here I am; I've been in a long while, quite a long while. _Mrs. Toov._ (_to herself_). And he imagines I believe _that!_ (_Aloud._) I understood you intended to spend the evening with CHARLES. _Mr. Toov._ So I did, my dear, so I did. I went to his rooms. _Mrs. Toov._ And you went out somewhere together, Pa? Come, you won't deny _that_! _Mr. Toov._ (_to himself_). What a mercy I didn't go to that Eldorado! I should have _had_ to tell her! (_Aloud._) Why you see we--we didn't go anywhere. I found CHARLES was engaged to dine with a friend, so I went away again. _Mrs. Toov._ (_to herself_). A very likely story! Where has THEOPHILUS learnt such brazen duplicity? (_Aloud._) Oh! and then of course you came straight home? _Mr. Toov._ Why, no, my love; not immediately. I--I suddenly recollected that I had to see a friend on--on a little matter of business which was--hem--somewhat pressing, so I went there first of all. _Mrs. Toov._ (_to herself, contemptuously_). Exactly the excuse in all those horrid songs! (_Aloud._) And the business kept you rather late, eh, Pa? Some business _is_ apt to do so, I know! _Mr. Toov._ (_to himself_). She makes me almost feel as if I'd gone after all! (_Aloud._) I _was_ a little late, my dear, not so very. I suppose I must have been home between eight and nine, and PH[OE]BE brought me up some nice cold mutton and the apple-tart, so I did very well, very well indeed. _Mrs. Toov._ (_to herself_). If he is deceiving me, I can soon find out from the look of the joint and tart! _Mr. Toov._ By the way, my love, surely _you_ are rather late this evening, are you not? it's nearly twelve! _Mrs. Toov._ (_to herself, with a start_). Oh, but I will _not_ fib unless he forces me to. (_Aloud._) I--I was detained later than I expected. _Mr. Toov._ And you didn't expect to be back so very early either, for you took the latchkey, didn't you? MRS. TOOV. I happened to find it, Pa, and I thought I might as well use it--and why not? _Mr. Toov._ It was most thoughtful of you, my love, to think of saving PH[OE]BE. By the way, do you notice----? (_He looks round him suspiciously._) Ah, well, it may be my fancy. And you had a successful meeting? were there many interesting speeches? _Mrs. Toov_ (_choking_). As--as interesting as usual, THEOPHILUS! (_To herself._) I 'm sure _that's_ true enough! _Mr. Toov._ And supper provided afterwards, I suppose? Which accounts for your being late. Dear--dear me! [_His face grows troubled again._ _Mrs. Toov._ Is there any reason why there _shouldn't_ be supper afterwards, Pa?